"Great storytelling"

The police conclude that the murder of her stepfather was caused by a burglary that went bad. Though she deeply mourns the tragic loss of a loved one, Hallie knows it is not grief that makes her believe Lou was a victim of a hit. She soon finds evidence supporting her contention, but her former husband Joel Royer learns what she knows and comes after Hallie. Desperate, she flees Denver with their twins Kiera and Kiley in tow before finally stopping at Primrose Creek, Nevada when her truck breaks down.

Local residents Chance Qualtrough and Jace Stratton dispute a property line when Hallie enters the town. Now their disagreement includes Hallie, as both want her. However, Hallie remains aloof though she quickly loves the town and its people, plus she fears for the safety of her new friends. Still she falls in love, but she knows she must hide her feelings in case her former spouse finds her because he will wreck havoc on anyone who gets in his way.

THE LAST CHANCE CAFÉ is an exciting romantic suspense novel that is at its best when the tale spins a contemporary relationship drama as it does for most of the novel. The suspense elements seem secondary and only support the prime theme of Hallie seeking sanctuary in her new surroundings. The cast is strong as Linda Lael Miller does for Primrose Creek what she did to Springwater by telling the warm tale of the modern day descendants of that popular historical series.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted March 22, 2002